blue screen boot device not found install an operating system to hard drive 3f0

[Riikah13]

Hi, I have a very old desktop PC that I wanted to reformat (HP 260A133NL). It often gave me an "invalid CMOS checksum" screen. I have to say, I ignored it for a while because I wasn't using it cuz it was very slow. Then one day I turned it on and it gave me a black screen with an hourglass loading, and I could only open Task Manager (there was nothing overloading it). After that, I turned it on three times and tried HP Recovery to figure out the problem, but that didn't work. So I tried reformatting it from there, but after 2%, it gave me an error. So I went into the BIOS and tried everything I could: basic settings, diagnostics, no problem. The BIOS is a bit complicated; I've watched tutorials, and the screen is REALLY old. Now, I don't know why, it also gives me a second blue screen: "Boot device not found, install an operating system to hard drive." It's basically getting worse and worse. Today I changed the CMOS battery, reset the time, and that blue screen (CMOS error one) doesn't seem to appear anymore. But how can I fix the other error, the hard drive one? pls what can I do? I'm not a PC expert at all..

[TheOldMan]

That error typically means the hard disk is failing, but it can also be caused by something interfering with the boot process.

Considering the previous errors,  run the Diagnostics routine.

To run the Diagnostics routine, Start tapping the Esc key BEFORE starting the PC and then press the start button.
Keep tapping the Esc key until a popup menu shows. Then pick Diagnostics from that popup menu, F2.
Report back with the results.

[Riikah13]

Unfortunately, as I mentioned, I've run the diagnostics a couple of times, both, the quick and the full ones. No errors. What else can I do? It's an old PC, and I don't want to send it for repair; it probably wouldn't be worth it. Is there anything else I can do? Remove the hard drive and put it back in? I read that somewhere, but I don't know if I'll be able to do it or if it'll make any difference to be honest..

[TheOldMan · Accepted solution]

I'm sorry, yes you did state the diagnostics was run.

The information for that model says it came with Windows 10.  I would make the Windows 10 install media and then boot to that new media.  When starting the install process, it will ask where you wish to install.  If it shows the hard drive, then you can reinstall.  If it says there is not hard drive, then it most likely will need a new drive.

Use the Media Creation tool for Windows 10 to make the new media.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-installation-media-for-windows-99a58364-8c02-206f...

[Riikah13]

Thanks so much!! I fixed it, installing Windows 10 on the USB. I have to say, at one point it gave me a windows installation error, and it went into a loop restarting, but I opened the command prompt and I fixed it. The PC is still a little slow but that's fine, it's old and I understand that, hahaha thanks again!

[TheOldMan]

Glad to hear the problem has been solved.  Glad to help.